The City of Launceston has formally endorsed the Carr Villa Memorial Park Masterplan at its Council Meeting on 19 June 2025, setting a clear and sustainable vision for the future of one of Tasmania’s most significant cemetery and crematorium sites.

The Masterplan outlines a long-term strategic framework to guide how we manage interment, memorialisation, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship at Carr Villa. This represents a major milestone in the ongoing planning and sustainability of the site.

The endorsed plan reflects the outcomes of extensive community and stakeholder consultation, as well as expert environmental and planning advice.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who provided feedback during the consultation period. Your insights helped shape a respectful and balanced Masterplan, one that honours the site’s primary purpose while strengthening its environmental and cultural significance.

While Council supported all key directions of the plan, it resolved not to include Stage 2 of Expansion Area 5A in the final version. As a result, the site’s interment capacity horizon has been reduced from approximately 100 years to 50 years.

Despite this amendment, the Masterplan remains a comprehensive and future-focused strategy that will support the continued delivery of meaningful cemetery and crematorium services to our community.

Key features of the endorsed Masterplan include:

• A clear strategy to ensure interment capacity for the next 50 years, reinforcing Carr Villa’s role in serving future generations.
• Visitor experience enhancements such as new reflection seating, improved signage and wayfinding, upgraded accessible toilets, and a dedicated reflection space near the Children’s Cemetery.
• Ongoing community engagement to inform future burial and ash placement needs, ensuring inclusive and culturally respectful development.
• A commitment that all future development will be based on demonstrated community need, and subject to further Council consideration, environmental assessment, and formal planning approval.
• Strengthened protection and active management of remnant bushland, supported by the Carr Villa Bushland Management Plan.
• Enhanced community partnerships to conserve heritage and environmental values, while enriching the visitor experience.

What's next?

Over the coming weeks, the Masterplan will be updated to reflect the final resolution of Council, including the removal of Stage 2 from Expansion Area 5A, and will be shared to the dedicated Carr Villa Memorial Park page on the Tomorrow Together Engagement Platform.

On behalf of the City of Launceston, thank you once again for your valued contribution. Your feedback played a vital role in shaping this important plan and ensuring Carr Villa continues to meet the evolving needs of our community.